Build on the Knowledge and Initiatives of Pastoralist Women

On rangelands covering over half the Earth’s land surface, pastoralists are producing food and other products from livestock. About half of the pastoralists are women and girls. Not only have rangelands and pastoralists been largely ignored in development efforts; those efforts that do reach rangelands largely ignore the female half of the population and particularly the women’s identity and expertise as pastoralists. This policy brief focuses on pastoralist women and their vital roles in contributing to dynamic pastoral systems and maintaining social cohesion. It urges policymakers and development professionals to recognise and support women pastoralists and their initiatives.